Milwaukee Brewers: Can they still sign Dallas Keuchel?

The Milwaukee Brewers have added free agent third baseman Mike Moustakas on a one-year deal believed to be worth around $10 million. Can the team still fit a starter like Dallas Keuchel in their budget?

It’s February 17th and Dallas Keuchel is still unsigned. He’s been linked to a few different teams including the Milwaukee Brewers, but the rumors really haven’t been swirling around him.

The Brewers payroll for 2019 sits in the $123 million-range. Can they still fit Keuchel onto the 2019 roster with Mike Moustakas now in the fold for the upcoming season?

What kind of a deal has Keuchel been looking for?

Keuchel was rumored to be asking for a contract in the six-to-seven-year range with an annual salary in the $25-to-$30 million range. That’s an ambitious ask given Keuchel’s age and recent history. A deal in the four-to-five-year range worth $80-to-$90 million is a lot more likely.

Do the Brewers have any room in the payroll?

Not really. It was believed that they were looking to spend around $125 million earlier in the off season, and that’s about where they are with Yasmani Grandal and Moustakas in the fold. Unless the Milwaukee Brewers can shed some salary, they probably can’t afford Keuchel in 2019.

Where could the Brewers move salary?

The same places that have been discussed all off season. Eric Thames, Chase Anderson, and Zach Davies could all use a new home. Thames is a DH on a National League roster. Anderson and Davies may be the fifth and sixth best starters on the Milwaukee Brewers roster. While a deal could come together during the Spring, it’s really unusual for a trade to occur during camp. The Brewers are likely stuck with the trio, and probably won’t have the money to add Keuchel.

If the Milwaukee Brewers look to add another arm before Opening Day, it’s probably not going to be Keuchel. If Keuchel comes to Milwaukee, it’s on at a massive discount. He’s shown that he doesn’t want to take less, so he probably won’t end up on the Brewers. Gio Gonzalez is a much better fit for the Brewers if they want to add even more depth to their starting staff.